Alec Lewis is undoubtedly one of the busiest figures in the Capital Region music scene. He is a sound engineer, producer, playwright, and the primary creative force behind The Alec Lewis Group. The closing track of his EP, Six Show Week, offers a glimpse into just how packed his schedule can get. In any given week, you might find him doing sound at two of Albany’s most essential music venues—Lark Hall and Jive Hive Live. He’s also become a sought-after producer and engineer under the Honey Home Studios moniker, collaborating with local bands like E.R.I.E., The Pine Boys, and Boss Crowley. But it’s his primary creative outlet, The Alec Lewis Group, that has been gaining serious momentum over the past year.
Officially formed in February 2024 The ALG has made a strong impact on local audiences. A quote from the groups bio says it best: “Over the last year, the group has been playing steadily, honing in their craft and sculpting a sound that is both tight and vigorously rehearsed, yet with definitive moments of improvisation and refreshing jams.” Their live performances are spirited and feel like a party. A party where Alec and Co. seem to know everyone in attendance.The group has developed a loyal following that is always extremely engaged and attentive making each performance feel intimate and special – something that is truly rare with newer groups. Before forming the ALG, Alec released a few solo records and co-wrote two plays with Caity Gallagher. However, this new project marks a clear shift toward his pop-funk sensibilities.
The EP feels like a fully realized vision—one that’s been carefully developed over time. Every note and lyric is thoughtfully placed, while still maintaining the playful, spontaneous feel that only comes from playing songs live for a while. The EP is a brisk and entertaining listen, perfect for an afternoon mood boost—whether you’re on a run, walking to grab coffee, or cleaning the house. But it also holds enough depth and detail to sit down with and get lost in.
Lyrically, “Don’t Cross Me” strikes a balance between vivid storytelling and introspective, relatable themes. The vocals are delivered in a fun, light, and engaging way, yet they’re dripping with attitude and finesse. Alec effortlessly shifts between melodic singing and more of a charismatic narration based delivery. The stories and situations unfold like a behind-the-scenes glimpse into different worlds, rich with detail allowing you to visualize each scene as if it were playing out in real-time. The lyrical style strongly echoes John McCrea of Cake.
Yes, the title track is about a school crossing guard, but it is not silly by any means. It carries a seriousness that packs a punch and a weight that makes it feel believable and grounded in reality. Alec paints such a vivid picture of the character that you can almost feel yourself instinctively straightening up as you cross the street, knowing this crossing guard means business. The song’s instrumental perfectly complements this energy, carrying a rhythmic, walking bounce that enhances the imagery. I’ve always been a fan of tracks that sonically embody their subject matter—like a film score matching the action on screen—it’s no surprise that Alec has a background in musical theater.
“Pocket Man” is the perfect song to drive around town to. The groove keeps building and layering, like a plane taking off or a train gaining speed, roaring down the tracks. Instrumental music is a key element of funk—holding the groove while staying interesting and continuously rising in energy.
Another track I wanted to highlight thematically is the closing song, 6 Show Week. This one shifts the vibe a bit, but fans of classic stoner rock are going to love it. It’s always impressive when a song slows the tempo but still makes you want to headbang just as hard as the faster tracks. While the pace is dialed back, the song remains packed with power, heaviness, and emotion. As mentioned earlier, this track gives a real glimpse into how packed Alec’s schedule is. The chorus—“Nothing hits better than a six show week. Never knowing when the next time you’ll eat.”—stood out to me, especially in how it matches the song’s overall vibe. The track creates a smooth, hazy, almost dreamy atmosphere, as if Alec is giving you a peak into the experience of regularly working long hours. He puts you in that headspace, leading into a melancholic chorus where you can almost feel him teetering on the edge of burnout—yet his passion and love for music always win out. At its core, the song conveys that, despite the exhaustion, nothing is better than a six show week. It’s a sentiment that will resonate deeply with creatives who juggle their passion alongside a full-time job. We’re all drawn to the work in a way that makes it irreplaceable—we wouldn’t trade it for the world—but that doesn’t mean it isn’t exhausting. The song ends in a pulsing explosion of shredding, build-up, and aggression—a fitting way to close out such a dynamic and wide-ranging project.
The lead guitar work on the EP is exceptional. The flourishes are tastefully mixed in and, at times, absolutely burn it down. The solo sections are creatively composed and precisely performed. When a piece is so practiced and dialed in, it can then revert back into a place of freedom and float into a space that feels loose, spontaneous, and playful like it was improvised. It’s like an actor who knows their lines so well that their delivery feels natural—like a real conversation. As a guitar tone enthusiast, I really appreciated the sounds here. They range from clean, funky palm muting to completely unleashed, heavy overdrive. The sound of a Stratocaster with overdrive, wah, and reverb is timeless and never gets old.
This project is a masterclass in dynamics and pacing. Each track has a groove – that is one constant for sure but there is also a lot of tension and release. Like a high performance car the group can switch gears and bring a high energy crescendo back down to where it started in a smooth satisfying way. There is a great mix of pretty melodies and clean precise Vulfpeck-esque rhythm guitar with flashes of aggression and braggadocios funk attitude. Alec Lewis and his bandmates expertly deliver a blend of timeless sounds with flashes of modern energy, offering a fresh yet familiar listening experience. With incredible musicianship, dialed songwriting, and the fun, energetic vibe of a band at the top of its game, this album has both pop sensibilities and an undeniable groove.
As a whole this EP is extremely digestible and easy to listen to. The sounds fit nicely into a cohesive tonal package and the production quality is top tier overall. Even when the tracks diverge slightly in mood or genre there’s an underlying consistency in tone and vision that makes everything feel connected. We highly recommend checking it out!
Where to listen: https://thealeclewisgroup.bandcamp.com/album/dont-cross-me
….. And all other major streaming services.
Where to Follow: https://www.instagram.com/thealeclewisgroup
Back O’ The Baseball Card Stats:
Title: Don’t Cross Me
Track List:
- Don’t Cross Me
- Half Empty
- Pocket Man
- Six Show Week
Personnel:
- Guitar/ Vocals: Alec Lewis
- Lead Guitar: Noah Sc
- Bass: Alec Lewis
- Drums: Connor Frederickson
All Songs Written, Engineered and Produced by Alec Lewis
Mixed by Daniel DeKalb
Mastered by Paul Hake
A Honey Home Production
Runtime: 16:04
Release Date: February 7th 2025
